Join Detective NJ and Detective Bean track and attempt to capture the notorious criminal Miss Nita Direction before she steals all 50 of the United States!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

What happens when Kosakowski's (and former Kosakowski's) make plans

Shortly before everyone was heading out the door the last time we were in Fremont (Labor Day weekend) Michelle tossed out the idea of a family canoe trip. I'd been thinking about it myself a couple of times over the summer, especially the times when we were in Ann Arbor and I saw them on the river. We set a tentative date for anyone who could make it and Michelle promised to do some research.

We found a weekend where we were already planning on coming down on Saturday for apple picking, Sarah was planning in being in town for a wedding and to do Holloweekends with the Singers (and maybe Scott) on Friday, Mom didn't have to work, Michigan had a bye, Shell and Dudley both had a free calendar and Scott thought he'd be able to make it, too. Holy cow - do you have any idea how hard it is to work to get all of us in one place at the same time on only four weeks notice? It seemed like fate.

Shell did some research and we kind of quickly nixed the idea of heading to where we had canoed in the past (the Mohican area in mid/southern Ohio) because of how long it'd take for us to get back from there on a Sunday when we knew Noah had school the following morning. Since we're still getting adjusted I thought it was better to avoid a late arrival home. So Shell found a place along the Maumee River, about 50 minutes from Fremont. Dad wasn't crazy about the idea of canoeing the Maumee (it's not exactly the cleanest river...) but we all reassured him no one was planning on getting in the actual water. Again, fate, right?

And then we started checking the weather forecast earlier in the week. 40% chance of rain in the mid-60's. No, it wouldn't dare rain on us! We were going to brave it.

Yesterday the chance had increased and the temperature dropped. Nope, we're still all in.

This morning we had sunny skies (okay, maybe a few clouds were beginning to creep in) as we left Fremont after a stop at Tim Horton's to celebrate National Coffee Day. We made it to Grand Rapids were the livery and unpiled out of the cars. More clouds. And, Mom shares with us, Sarah and Sean are literally trapped in Toledo. The wedding they went to last night was at the Art Museum and they had chosen to stay at a hotel downtown nearby and then meet us this morning. Turns out the fine hotel they were staying at failed to mention to them that there was a Breast Cancer 5k running through downtown this morning and the very earliest they could get to their vehicle was 9:45. Knowing what I know now, I will again say, fate, right?

So as we hemmed and hawed, trying to decide if we should go and have them catch up, rain drops started to fall. We continued to debate, more rain. OK, time to regroup. We headed a bit down the road to a park where the dam was, hoping they'd have a shelter we could hang out under while we decided what to do. No such luck - and the only covered area at the park was being painted. But we did head down by the dam since it was only sprinkling and saw some people fishing.

Dad remembered that on the other side of the river was another larger park that should have shelters. Back in the cars to head over there. Success on the shelters, but it was about that time that the sprinkles went to much harder rain. And the temperature dropped significantly. But there is never a dull moment with us and with a little help from Grandma and Aunt Shell, the kids played a few games of "Mother May I" that amused us all and we got a call from Sarah saying they were just arriving in Grand Rapids. So we trooped down to meet up with them and the skies opened.

Instead of throwing the towel in on the day we hauled out our picnic lunch (and a few blankets from Shell's trunk) and headed back to the shelter.

This is the point where I break in and say things like this ALWAYS happen to us. The night we pick to go to see the lights at the zoo is guaranteed to be the coldest night of the year. The Labor Day golf outing usually gets rained on for at least part of the time. Scott makes the State Swim Meet and we stand out in sleet at 4am for tickets. Sarah runs her first half marathon and most of the race it sprinkles and is chilly. Wasn't there a Mother's Day (I don't think we were up here for this one) that all Mom wanted to do was go on a picnic and it was like 50 degrees? Mother Nature must really like the Kosakowski's. (Though Shell and I can both claim we did have beautiful weather for our weddings...)

But we made the best of it! We all enjoyed our picnic and everyone finally agreed that we should probably just throw in the towel on the attempt to canoe. So we headed back to Fremont and watched the Lions game. I'd venture to say that most of the males in our party were much happier with this outcome. We hung out in Fremont long enough for Aunt Shell and Uncle Dudley to take the kids to get their Halloween costumes.

And now we're safely back in Farmington, canoe trip less, but still happy to have spent time with everyone. This week is looking a little calmer than last week (thank goodness!). Hot Mulled Apple Cider tomorrow! And picture day for Noah! Until then...

Happy National Coffee Day!

Checking out the dam

Papa shows Kayla where to stand for their first game of "Mother May I"

Aunt Shell taking a Super Man Jump

Mikayla taking a bunny hop

It was a tight race

A Papa and his favorite girl

Sarah's fabulous creation! She made this for Shell for her birthday. All minions at Shell's (like every other inanimate object at Shell's...) need a name. This is Gary

WANTED!

Last Known Whereabouts: Lurking around Farmington Hills, Michigan, keeping an eye on her newly appointed trackers, Noah and Mikayla Gatchel

Feared Future Plans: Stealing each of the 50 U.S. states to put them under the direction of BAD

About Nita

Prior to her escape, MOMG had heard rumors of Nita’s plans to attempt to steal all fifty of the United States. Intelligence shows that Direction has long been planning her thieving scheme.

Direction is well known for her burglary and theft skills. She is a master of blending into her surroundings and familiarizing herself with her terrain and becoming a ‘local’. She is devoted to researching her target before striking and is known for her patience. She is not thought to be dangerous, simply sneaky. Citizens are asked not to attempt to make contact with Nita if spotted, she spooks easily and could be lost.

Burglars and Delinquents (BAD)

Nita is the boss of the crime syndicate BAD. The detectives should expect BAD to assist Nita in her plans.

Ministry of Modern Goodness (MOMG)

The Ministry is tasked with protecting all 50 of the United States. They are enlisting the help of the Gatchel Detectives to capture Miss Direction